Another tough break for Rob Gronkowski

Monday

Jan 14, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Rich Garven TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

When tight end Rob Gronkowski departed after re-injuring his left forearm on the Patriots' sixth offensive snap in their 41-28 AFC divisional round playoff win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, the team reported his return as questionable.

But Gronkowski never returned and, according to multiple reports, there's no question he needs surgery and won't be back for the rest of the season.

The Patriots, though, feigned ignorance as to the health of one of their most valuable players.

“I'm not sure,” Belichick said when asked if Gronkowski broke his arm again. “I just walked off the field, I don't know.”

Gronkowski first broke his left arm late in a blowout of the Colts on Nov. 18. He missed six games before returning to play two dozen snaps in the regular-season finale against the Dolphins on Dec. 30.

It doesn't appear, though, that Gronkowski was rushed back.

“He wouldn't have played if he wasn't (ready to go),” Belichick said, adding he had no regrets about the injury because “the doctors handle the medical decisions.”

Any Patriot who was asked about the loss of Gronkowski essentially gave the same response.

“He's a tough player, probably one of the best at that position,” defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. “But what can you do? You have to move forward and we have a lot of guys who can step in and make plays.”

Gronkowski played on a badly injured ankle in the Super Bowl last year, with his lack of mobility undoubtedly contributing to the Patriots' loss. Now the question is whether his absence will once again cost this team a championship. The Patriots also saw injuries to running back Danny Woodhead (thumb) and defensive end Chandler Jones (ankle) that knocked them out of the game in the first and third quarters, respectively.

J.J. Watt, the Texans' ridiculously talented defensive lineman, finished with four tackles (one for a loss) and half a sack as the Patriots once again did an outstanding job of containing the presumptive NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“He's obviously a good player — the whole front line is filled with playmakers — and that was definitely a key point coming into this game, as it was last game,” tight end Michael Hoomanawanui said. “We were able to neutralize him the best we could. A player that caliber is still going to get his plays, as he did tonight, but overall I think we did a good job and came out with a victory.”

The Patriots frequently double-teamed Watt, either using two linemen or a linemen and a tight end.

“With a guy that caliber it's got to be 2-on-1,” Hoomanawanui said. “It's just knowing your assignment and technique. The coaches preach it and we practice it each and every day, and we got it done.”

Watt came in with 21.5 sacks, 41 tackles for a loss and 18 passes defensed. He had half a sack, one tackle for a loss and no passes defensed in two games against the Patriots.

•The Patriots improved to 14-3 (.824) at home in the playoffs. That's the best winning percentage of any team with at least 10 home games. The rest of the top five: Packers (16-4, .800), Raiders (19-5, .792), Bills (10-3, .769), Broncos (13-4, .765).

•It was the 17th playoff win for Tom Brady, which broke a tie with boyhood idol Joe Montana for most in league history. Brady's winning percentage of .739 (17-6) is also tops. Montana is fourth at .696 (16-7).

•Brady had three touchdown passes, making it the fifth playoff game he had three-plus TDs. That ties him with Dan Marino and Kurt Warner for fourth all-time. Montana (9) and Brett Favre and Peyton Manning (6 each) are ahead of him.